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Postgraduate Professional Education Catalogue for Certification as “Forensic-Clinical Chemist GTFCh“

Appendix 1 of Postgraduate Professional Education Regulations “Forensic-Clinical Chemist GTFCh“

Introduction

The applicant must acquire thorough specific knowledge, experience and skills in the area of forensic-clinical chemistry according to scientific and technical standards. Amongst others it is required
  • Forensic-clinical findings reports (if possible expert reports) under consideration of scientific standards and prevailing case law
  • Publishing independent scientific papers in acknowledged journals
  • Participating in postgraduate professional education arranged by the GTFCh
  • Participating in scientific events (workshops, conventions etc.) and, if necessary,
  • Delivering oral expert opinions, particularly in criminal proceedings, if this is possible in the context of the field of activity.
The applicant may substantiate acquired knowledge, experience and skills by additional
  • Visits in other postgraduate professional education institutions
  • Participation in postgraduate professional education arranged by other institutions related to forensic-clinical chemistry (associations, chambers)
  • Conducting of own lectures and courses
  • Successful participation in postgraduate university courses or seminars in related topics.
The applicant needs postgraduate professional and continuing education in the areas (postgraduate professional education modules) listed below:
 

Postgraduate Professional Education Modules

Basics of human biology

Basic knowledge of the function of the human body 
  • respiratory system
  • blood circulation
  • hair
  • sweat
  • saliva
  • urine

Basics of preparation and concept of laboratory-analysed findings

  • pre-analytics (sampling, sample identification, sample stability, transportation, distribution, filing)
  • Analytics (method development and validation; sample preparation, separation and detection techniques)
  • post analytics (reference range definition and identification, cut-off definition, clinical-toxicological and/or forensic-clinical interpretation, requirements for a laboratory findings report and/or a forensic-clinical report)
  • influence and disturbance variables (haemolysis, icterus, lipaemia)

Basics of immunological analytical procedures

  • nephelometry and turbidimetry
  • immunoassay (also test strips)
  • false-positive and false-negative findings
  • disturbance factors such as high-dose hook effect

Basics of physico-chemical analytical procedures

  • atom spectrometry
  • chromatography
  • detector types (UV, DAD, electro chemical, fluorescence, mass spectrometer)

Quality assurance

  • quality management
  • internal and external quality control
  • accreditation, test laboratory, certification

Basics of statistics

  • method validation (imprecision, falsity, measurement uncertainty)
  • method comparison
  • interlaboratory test evaluation
  • significance test

Knowledge of characeristics of test material

  • blood and its products
  • hair
  • sweat
  • saliva
  • urine

Clinical chemistry

Basics of biochemistry and pathobiochemistry

  • as far a they are relevant for the origin and interpretation of forensic-clinical findings

Basics on physiology and pathobiochemistry of important organs for the xenobiotic metabolism

  • blood
  • kidney
  • liver
  • lungs

Basics on structure and function of skin and its adnexae and secretion products

  • hair
  • nails
  • sweat

Basics on forensic and clinical toxicology

Basic knowledge on toxicodynamics and toxicokinetics / pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
  • active substance groups
  • methods of application and misapplication
  • side effects and reciprocal effects
  • pharmacogenetics

Metabolism and toxicology

Therapeutic drug monitoring when indicated

  • alcohol (backward calculation, questions on alcohol consumption after the critical incident and prior to blood sampling, if belonging to the field of activity)
  • analgetics
  • amphetamines
  • anticonvulsants
  • barbiturates
  • benzodiazepines
  • cannabinoids
  • cocaine
  • immune suppressants
  • neuroleptics
  • new psychoactive substances (NPS)
  • opiates and opoids
  • tricyclical antidepressants
  • heavy metals
  • substitutes

Legislation

Relevant laws and regulations, e.g.
  • work safety law
  • pharmaceutical law
  • narcotics law
  • assessment criteria (MPU = medico-psychological examination)
  • hygiene regulations
  • guidelines of the German Medical Association (abbr. RiliBäk, determination of brain death)
  • rights and duties of expert
  • traffic law